Asante Kotoko to begin ‘justify’ for youth team next week

Asante Kotoko yet-to-be formed youth team coach, Abdulai Gazale has revealed that the club will hold its first justify your inclusion exercise for players in Kumasi next week.

The Ghanaian giants who were previously known for producing best talents into their senior side and into the various youth national teams of Ghana have suffered few setbacks in their youth academy system for some years now.

Prior to the non-working Kotoko’s youth system, the Youth academy development program had produced quality players like Michael Ofosu Appiah, Nii Baah, Francis Akwaffo Boateng, Tony Yeboah, Dauda Mohammed, Sarfo Taylor, among others.

In recent times, due to financial problems and series of changes in administrative structure of the Kumasi-based club, the youth system was shut down some years ago. However, with the current endeavor to bring back the old Kotoko, there are ongoing new developments in the club which include the bringing back of the youth academy system.

The Ghana Premier League champions want to build a very vibrant youth system, and have announced to footballers who are below 20 years to begin their trials at team’s training grounds next week.

“Our CEO informed me that the budget is ready so we will hold our first justify next week to select about 25 players to start our academy,” Abdulai Gazale confirmed in an interview with Kumasi-based Kessben FM.

Nana Yaw Amponsah and his management believe that setting the pace with the youth team and the women’s team will make Kotoko the first elite team in Ghana to run such a model.